Elizabeth Moslakagomo, a 38-year-old woman, went missing last week while jogging in the afternoon near Johannesburg Airport. Her 8-year-old daughter contacted relatives after her mother did not return, and they informed the police. Five days later, Moslakagomo's partially clothed body was found in the area, her face severely damaged and unrecognizable.
Increase in Women's Murders
Moslakagomo is one of nine women that police have reported have been murdered in recent weeks in this area of South Africa's largest city. Most of them have been raped. Even in a country known for having the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world, this new wave of murders has caused shock, anger, and fear among South Africans. According to police statistics, more than 100 cases of rape and about 15 murders of women are reported daily.
Reactions and Protests
The police have not ruled out the possibility of a serial killer and have warned women to "be careful" and not to walk or jog alone. This approach has faced criticism from women on social media, who say that the responsibility for safety lies with the police, not themselves. President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that "no stone will be left unturned" to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators of these crimes. However, many South Africans believe that the government, which declared gender-based violence and the murder of women a national disaster in 2025, has not acted adequately.
Shanila Mohammed, director of Amnesty International in South Africa, said: "Women in South Africa continue to be hunted and are deprived of their basic right to life and security. Women are tired of empty slogans and want to know what actions will be taken to ensure that women and children feel safe." Protests have been held in Kempton Park, a suburb where many of these murders have occurred, as well as in Cape Town.
Given that Moslakagomo was an avid runner, many local running clubs across the country have held running events in her honor and in memory of all victims. At one of these events in Johannesburg, men and women of all ages and races wore black and observed a minute of silence before starting. One participant said: "Gender-based violence, especially the murder of women, is a big issue in South Africa. As a woman, you can't do anything alone."
Source: npr.org
